World News Briefs -- January 2, 2010

Gens. David Petraeus, left, and Ray Odierno take part in the ceremony in Baghdad to rename the U.S. force in Iraq. For the last several months, only U.S. troops have served in the coalition. (Ahmad al-Rubaye / AFP/Getty Images / January 1, 2010)

Ceremony Formally Marks End Of Coalition Effort In Iraq -- L.A. Times

The United States Force-Iraq is inaugurated in belated recognition of the fact that for some time there have been no other nations serving alongside U.S. forces, which had no combat deaths last month.

Reporting from Camp Victory, Iraq - December was the first month since the Iraq war began in which there were no American combat deaths, a milestone hailed by military officials Friday as they inaugurated a new name for the U.S. force at the start of the year that will see the war wind down in earnest.

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MIDDLE EAST

Israel strikes Gaza targets after Grad rocket attack.

Iraqis outraged as Blackwater case thrown out.

Al Qaeda in the Arabian peninsula: A primer.

Opposition leader Mousavi denounces Iran's crackdown.

Iran warns West it will make its own nuclear fuel.

U.S. announces more security aid to Yemen; Britain to host meeting on nation. Yemen rebels 'ready to talk' if war stops.

ASIA

Volleyball blast death toll rises to 93. Pakistan govt under pressure after deadly attack.

Afghanistan to hold parliamentary elections in May.

North Korea calls for end to hostility with US.

AFRICA

2 ships reported hijacked off Somali coast.

Fragile calm holds in Darfur after years of mass killings.

Somali rebels pledge to send fighters to aid Yemen Jihad. I shall send hundreds of men to fight alongside our neighbours, vows al-Qaeda ally in Somalia.

Security flaws in Nigeria draw notice.

Pirate cash suspected cause of Kenya property boom.

EUROPE

Hundreds of cars torched in France at New Year.

Spain takes reins of revamped EU.

Cheapest vodka doubles in price as Russia tackles heavy drinking.

AMERICAS

Colombian planes bomb rebel camps: defense minister.

Honduran leaders' effigies up in smoke for New Year.

Mudslide kills 19 people in Brazil island resort.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Barack Obama says al-Qaida behind botched Christmas Day bomb plot.

National security is in President Obama's court.

How a middle-class Nigerian boy was seduced by Al Qaeda into trying to blow up a transatlantic jet

'Internet imams' the new recruiters for al-Qaida.

Cartoonist 'attacker' on attempted manslaughter charges.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

FACTBOX - China and ASEAN to launch world's 3rd biggest trade zone.

South Korean trade pact with India going into effect.

U.S. loan effort is seen as adding to housing woes.

Lack of U.S. Estate Tax in 2010: Now cheaper to die?